SACRAMENTS AND EVANGELISATION

What is a sacrament?

“The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), n. 1131.

Another way of describing sacraments are ritual actions in which we experience God’s love, healing, forgiveness, nourishment and strengthening. There are seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. They are:

  • Sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (sometimes called Communion or Holy Communion).
  • Sacraments of healing: Penance (sometimes called Reconciliation or Confession) and Anointing of the Sick.
  • Sacraments at the service of communion and mission: Marriage and Holy Orders.

Sacraments and evangelisation – Encounter, Discipleship, Mission

In the task of evangelisation, the sacraments are powerful actions in which Jesus touches our lives, giving us a sense of the divine, yet still being grounded in ways we can understand. We can think of it in this way:

  • Encounter: As noted, by its very definition a sacrament is an encounter with Jesus. And so, when preparing the liturgical celebrations for the sacraments, consideration must be given to how those celebrating the sacrament, including the members of the community, will experience this encounter. When sacraments are celebrated with the intended solemnity and beauty that the liturgical rituals call for, they become great opportunities for evangelisation for the recipient, community members and visitors.
  • Discipleship: Through the liturgical celebrations of each of the sacraments, Catholics are inspired and strengthened to align their lives more wholly according to the teachings of Jesus. When Catholics participate fully in, and ascent to what is offered in each of the sacraments, they are more likely to intentionally respond to Jesus’ call to love, be fruitful, be obedient to the teachings of the Church, to pray, to carry their cross (burdens, sickness, etc.) and to serve others.
  • Mission: Having received the sacraments, Catholics go beyond the doors of the Church to become what they have received. That is, to be like Christ to those they meet as they go about their daily lives.

There are numerous resources on the sacraments. Please find below key documents and resources which will deepen your understanding of the Catholic sacraments.

Key documents and resources on the sacraments:

Formation and networks focused on the sacraments:

  • For training in liturgical ministries and policies associated with the celebration of the sacraments, please contact your parish and or diocesan offices in the first instance. Diocesan office contacts are listed here.
  • Christian Initiation Australia Network (CIAN)
  • The Sacraments, Word on Fire (USA), study guide, purchase.